A Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie, has criticised Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli for releasing a movie featuring the late actor Alex Ekubo shortly after his burial, describing the move as an attempt to profit from grief.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ossai expressed disappointment over Oboli’s decision to premiere ‘The First Lady’ on her YouTube channel, arguing that the timing of the release was inappropriate despite her pledge to donate the proceeds to Ekubo’s family.
“I’m disappointed in Omoni Oboli for using Alexx Ekubo’s burial to promote her movie and to cash out,” he wrote.
According to him, the actress’ explanation that the film marked the beginning of her friendship with the late actor did not justify announcing its release immediately after his funeral.
“I just watched her video where she announced she’ll be releasing The First Lady, a film she said started their friendship 11–12 years ago.
“Using someone’s death as PR to gain subscribers is disturbing and to cash out under the pretentious All proceeds from the movie go to the family of late Alex Ekubo’ or to keep his memories alive is disappointing.”
The governor’s aide argued that the promise to donate the earnings did not remove what he described as the promotional benefit the release would generate for Oboli’s YouTube channel.
“I know the ‘proceeds donation’ line will distract people from the real intent, but it’s clear this is a way of leveraging people’s emotions to subtly promote her YouTube channel.
“Grief is not content. A funeral is not a launch event. Alexx Ekubo deserves to be remembered for his life, his work and his impact, not repackaged as a trailer for a movie.”
He added that if the intention was genuinely to honour the late actor, the announcement could have been postponed.
“If the goal was truly to honour him, the announcement could wait.
“We have to start calling this out. Tragedy should not be a content calendar event. Let’s protect the dignity of the dead and stop monetising people’s pain. I am disappointed.”
Oboli had announced the release of ‘The First Lady’ shortly after Ekubo’s burial, describing it as the movie that began their friendship over a decade ago.
In a video shared on her social media pages, she said, “Today we finally laid our bestie, late Alexx Ekubo, to rest. In honour of his memory, I will be releasing The First Lady, a movie that started this whole friendship 11–12 years ago.
“The whole proceeds will go to the family of the late Alexx Ekubo. Alex poured his whole heart into that movie and gave it his all. Please watch, rewatch… this is just another way for me to pay my respect to him and those he’s left behind.”
PUNCH Online had reported that Ekubo was laid to rest on Thursday in his hometown of Ujari, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, with family members, colleagues and dignitaries in attendance.
His family had earlier confirmed that the actor died after battling complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer. He was 40.
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